Reasons for hair growth on cheeks

When observing the sides of the cheeks, people may find a problem, that is, there are many small hairs growing on both sides of the cheeks. These small hairs will actually affect personal image. Although it does not seem to matter when viewed from a distance, when you look closer, it will make the other person feel uncomfortable and affect the overall temperament. If people want to solve the problem of hair growing on the sides of their cheeks, it is necessary to first understand the reasons why hair grows on the sides of their cheeks.

Facial hirsutism refers to the increase in density, lengthening and quantity of hair, which exceeds the normal physiological range. It is generally manifested as a significant increase, growth, thickening and blackening of hair on the face, pubic area, armpits, abdomen, back and limbs. Some people also grow beards, chest hair and nipple hair, and are often accompanied by irregular menstruation, sexual apathy, etc. After entering puberty, girls gradually grow long hair all over their bodies, which is generally normal. But some girls grew long hair on their arms, legs, faces, backs, etc. They applied hair removal ointments hoping to restore the hair to normal, but it didn't work. Instead, the hair grew even longer and darker. In the summer, I am even embarrassed to wear short-sleeved clothes and skirts.

reason

In summary, the causes of hirsutism can be roughly divided into the following seven categories:

1. Congenital. It includes four types: familial hirsutism, premature development disorder, male hermaphroditism and primary hirsutism. Primary hirsutism is caused by hypersensitivity of hair follicles to endogenous androgens or by increased exogenous dihydrotestosterone.

2. Brain and hypothalamic lesions, such as encephalitis, multiple sclerosis and hirsutism caused by hyperplasia of the inner plate of the skull.

3. Pituitary hirsutism, such as acromegaly, diabetes, and alkalichromocytoma (secondary cortisolism) may cause hirsutism.

4. Hirsutism caused by juvenile hypothyroidism.

5. Hirsutism caused by adrenal gonadal syndrome and hypercortisolism.

6. Women in menopause, with polycystic ovaries, theca hyperplasia, or ovarian tumors may develop hirsutism.

7. Women may suffer from hirsutism due to the use of exogenous drugs (such as androgens, phenytoin, synthetic progestins, cortisone), pregnancy, anorexia, mental stress or local irritation. Among the many causes, adrenal tumors, ovarian tumors, polycystic ovaries, theca hyperplasia and primary hirsutism are the most common.

examine

Generally, the hair on the face, pubic area, armpits, abdomen, back and limbs increases significantly, becomes thicker and darker.

Differential Diagnosis

After examining the women who visited the hirsutism clinic, we found that more than 90% of them did not have hirsutism. So what is the difference between excessive hair and hirsutism? Excessive hair refers to an increase in body hair. Most people have a family history of excessive hair and do not have any masculine manifestations. Because there is no physiological abnormality, no treatment is required.

Hirsutism is different. It refers to the excessive growth of hair in certain parts of women, generally appearing on the upper and lower limbs and face; the distribution pattern tends to be masculine, with increased hair on the chin, above the lips, in front of the ears, forehead, and back of the neck. Relatively long hair is found around the nipples and on the midline below the navel. The pubic hair is distributed in a diamond shape, growing upward and around the anus. Sometimes it is accompanied by masculinization phenomena, such as the appearance of Adam's apple, deepening of voice and enlargement of clitoris. If you encounter these situations, you should go to the hospital to check the cause and then receive symptomatic treatment. Hirsutism can be divided into congenital and acquired, systemic and local. A hairy person we met in the outpatient clinic suffered from systemic hypertrichosis, which is an atavism phenomenon caused by autosomal abnormalities and tends to be inherited from generation to generation. Some people also have a small tuft of long black hair growing on a certain part of the body surface, such as on the spine. This is a congenital malformation such as spina bifida or meningocele, and it is localized hypertrichosis. Congenital hypertrichosis is rare and relatively easy to diagnose.

What causes hirsutism? This is mainly due to obstacles in the synthesis of female hormones in the body, abnormal pituitary and ovarian function, hyperadrenal function and other factors that produce excessive androgens such as androstenedione, causing increased hair growth. The general manifestations are a significant increase, growth, thickening and blackening of hair on the face, pubic area, armpits, abdomen, back and limbs.

Mitigation methods

Permanent hair removal surgery is available (including: laser hair removal, photon hair removal, photoremoval, electroacupuncture hair removal).

Female hirsutism refers to the abnormal growth of female body hair, or even the pathological manifestation of male body hair distribution characteristics. In mild cases, the hirsutism is only seen in some parts of the body, while in severe cases, the hirsutism may be systemic. Current research suggests that this disease has a familial genetic tendency and is closely related to tumors, endocrine diseases and the effects of certain drugs. In addition, there is an idiopathic hirsutism of unknown cause that accounts for the majority of hirsutistic women. It is speculated that it may be caused by the excessive sensitivity of these women's hair to normal male hormones. In terms of treatment, modern medicine mostly uses corticosteroids and anti-androgens such as dexamethasone, oral contraceptives, seproterone acetate, cimetidine, spironolactone and other drugs. At present, the effect seems to be unsatisfactory, and it is easy to relapse after stopping the drug. At the same time, there are side effects such as loss of libido, depression, dry skin, itching, nausea, and increased blood pressure.

There is no disease name for female hirsutism in ancient Chinese medicine books, but there are a lot of documents that can explain its pathogenesis. In recent years, some people believe that this disease is mainly caused by internal heat in the lung and stomach yin deficiency based on traditional Chinese medicine theory, and advocate treating this disease with nourishing yin and clearing heat; there are also people who divide this disease into five types: internal heat, liver fire, yin injury, kidney deficiency, and phlegm excess for treatment, etc.